The resident Kardashian “health freak”—who’s been showing off her killer bikini body in Cannes recently—swears by drinking ghee, a clarified butter, to keep her trim figure. “I have been eating it for years because my grandmother made it, not even knowing what it was,” Kardashian has said in the past. “Now I drink it every morning; I have one teaspoon. You melt it and you drink it first thing in the morning, and then you can’t eat or drink anything for twenty minutes after. It has to be the first thing in your stomach.”

Many women in their 40s opt for short haircuts on a hunch, and they definitely have a point. It’s not for nothing that most of us believe the length of the hair depends on the age of a woman – the older a woman gets, the shorter her hair should be. “The most common changes that occur in our hair as we get older are graying, changes in texture and density, and thinning, particularly at the crown or in the front of the hairline,” says Erin Gilbert, a New York City-based expert on hair. What's Causing Your Belly Fat After 50 and How To Lose ItCandace Bure, who first made a name for herself on Full House, is proud to show off her diet and fitness regimen on her Instagram account along with the help of her certified personal trainer, Kira Stokes. Angie Asche, a sports dietitian and Owner of Eleat Sports Nutrition, particularly likes Bure's messages about how, in spite of being busy on the set of "Fuller House," she seems to a squeeze in a few minutes of exercise each day. Her workouts are high-intensity interval training, which Asche practices with her clients. Asche also emphasizes the importance of letting your body rest and recover, especially after intense workouts. Bure doesn't promote any diet fads, cleanses or quick fixes. Instead, she posts meals featuring lean protein, fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Bure leaves some room for splurging with foods like carrot cake, cupcakes and pizza, rather than severely restricting herself from her favorite foods.
Bodybuilders have long sworn by eating every few hours to keep their muscles fueled, but don’t discount the weight loss potential of three squares a day. A study in the journal Hepatology put two groups of men on weight-gain diets. One group divided the calories among three small meals with snacks in between while the second group ate the same number of calories in three square meals. While both groups gained weight, researchers found that belly fat—the dangerous kind that increases heart-disease risk—only increased in the high-meal frequency group. Overweight Beginner Low Impact Home Workout (Burn 300Cals under 20mins) | Joanna Soh

This diet, created by trainer-to-the-stars Tracy Anderson, has reportedly been tried by the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga. The gist of the 7-day eating plan? Eat jarred baby food for breakfast and lunch, followed by a low-calorie dinner. Anderson cites this as a way to “eliminate toxins”—a red flag because the body naturally expels toxins. This is nothing more than a short-term crash diet that is very low in calories and nutrients. Lose 10 Pounds This Month: Food to Eat, Exercise to Do, Thoughts to Think

While most Americans consume plenty of protein, research shows that some women begin skimping on the muscle-sustaining nutrient as they age, consuming less than the RDA. Calorie-conscious dieters also tend to cut back on protein, when they should be doing the opposite. "Cutting back causes your body to rob your muscles for energy, leaving you thinner but also flabbier and weaker," says Dr. Apovian. "Not only does losing muscle make your clothing fit poorly, but you begin to burn fewer calories, so even if you're eating the same amount, you can easily regain the weight you shed." Having less muscle mass also makes you weaker, making it harder to do simple activities, so you become more inclined to crash on the couch. Eventually, the scale climbs back up and you start all over again, chipping away at muscle mass and putting the chill on your metabolism with each diet you try.

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I am 61 and have lost 3 and a half stone in the last year. I joined Slimming World who recommend that you fill up on foods that are less calorie dense, and I have a cross-trainer at home. I built up the exercise gradually as I lost weight and got fitter. 15 minutes at first, I now do an hour on 6 days a week. I really think eating healthier and being more active is something we have to push ourselves to do. Only discovered it late in life, but thankfully not too late. Belly Fat Burner HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training Workout with No Equipment47-year-old Jennifer Connelly started out as a child model before making her acting debut in 1984. She went on to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her role in A Beautiful Mind. She has since played several other significant parts. With two children she has been included in the lists of world’s most beautiful women by Time, Vanity Fair and Esquire, as well as the Los Angeles Times newspaper.
Liz Hurley has been linked to some odd diets in her day. In 2002, in an effort to lose weight after giving birth, she retreated to Elton John’s house and ate nothing but oatcakes. Years later, she shared that she thought adults shouldn’t eat breakfast. If you happen to be at her house for dinner, you’ll indulge in another of her diet fads: watercress soup. "I drink at least six cups a day when I am eager to lose a few pounds," she said. "It's fat-less, low-calorie, full of vitamins and iron, and delicious enough to serve at a dinner party." How To Lose Belly Fat | Is Menopause Really to Blame Over 50?

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but salmon may be the best one for your metabolism. That’s because most cases of underactive thyroid are due to inflammation of the gland, and salmon boasts significant anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its rich omega-3 fatty acid content. In fact, one study that looked at the effects of weight loss and seafood consumption showed salmon to be the most effective at reducing inflammation—better than cod, fish oil, and a fish-free diet. The fishy fatty acids may also signal thyroid cells in the liver to burn more fat, a recent study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry suggests.

Canadian researchers report that dieters with the most organochlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a greater than normal dip in metabolism as they lose weight, perhaps because the toxins interfere with the energy-burning process. Other research hints that pesticides can trigger weight gain. Always choose organic when buying peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, and pears; non-organic versions tend to have the highest levels of pesticides.

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Let's face it: Finding time to exercise only gets harder as you age. It helps to remember that working out gives you the sanity, strength, and good health to keep the rest of your world running smoothly. Can an overweight woman really preach to her children about the merits of eating right? Can an out-of-shape mom hope to get through an afternoon of soccer with her son without gasping for breath? Committing to a fitness routine is the first step in becoming a positive force to those around you. The time crunch isn't going to go away, so maybe you'll need to wake up earlier, or use your lunch break to hit the gym or walk home from work instead of driving. The better shape you're in, the better you'll feel inside and out. And the better you feel, the easier it will be to deal with life's headaches -- like demanding bosses, moody teenagers, and your husband's addiction to Monday Night Footbal. Some things you can't change. Thank goodness your weight isn't one of them.
Hello, all. I am 76 years old and just learning how to take care of myself. Coming from an age where women were not taught about nutrition, exercise, etc., this is proving to be a challenge. I now find that rarely is there any information for this age group. I just joined a gym and have a personal trainer and a new health care provider all who are making my life better and more enjoyable. I would like for articles to be expanded to include those of us in our 60s-80s. I like going to the gym and like the people that I meet there. I also see more seniors my age exercising but mostly men. I am welcomed there and everyone is very supportive. I wish more women would discover this opportunity. I like to also be around young people. Thank you.

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Additionally, attempts to lose weight on low-calorie diets can lead to even more lost muscle. Studies have found that regular resistance or strength training may be a better alternative than your daily runs to preserve and gain muscle — even when coupled with a low-calorie diet. Aerobic exercise is still important, just don’t make it your only form of activity.

This is another "healthy" swap gone wrong. Sure, egg whites have less fat and fewer calories than whole eggs — but they also have fewer nutrients. Vitamin B-12 is one of those nutrients you’ll only find in the yolk; it’s essential for your brain health and keeps your blood flowing normally. Your body absorbs B-12 more poorly as you age, meaning that cutting one of your main sources of the nutrient is a bad idea. Egg yolks also have impressive stores of vitamin D, A, E, and K, along with lots of omega-3s. You’d be surprised how many people subsist off of egg whites but still take extra omega-3 pills. DIET CHART FOR ALL AGE PERSONS - सभी उम्र के लोगो के लिए DIET CHART ( BALANCED DIET )

Colonoscopy Outpatient procedure in which a doctor inserts a long, flexible instrument - about 1/2 inch in diameter - into the rectum to view the rectum and entire colon. Many experts say colonoscopy is the most accurate colon cancer screening 50 (or earlier with certain risk factors) Every 10 years, more often for those with risk factors, a family history or history of colon polyps.

With her glowing skin and messy dark locks, it’s hard to believe that Carla Gugino is 46 years old. The sexy star first began her acting career in 1988 and has had a number of successful film and tv roles since. She most famously appeared as Dr Vera Gorski in Sucker Punch. She also had a recurring role in Californication and more recently scored parts in Nashville and Supergirl.
Your bones are constantly renewing themselves; old bone is broken down and new bone is made all the time. Up until about age 30, your bones are built up and broken down at a fairly even pace, but after that point, your bones start to break down at a slightly faster pace than your body can rebuild them. Calcium is essential for building new bone, so getting enough is important for boosting bone regrowth as you age. You also need to get enough vitamin D to make sure you’re absorbing calcium. INTERMITTENT FASTING SIX MONTH UPDATE! Losing Weight Over 40

As a general rule of thumb, anything that seems too good to be true probably is. And the case remains for zero-calorie artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free drinks such as Diet Coke and Diet Snapple. Yale University researchers found a link between the fake sugar and an increased risk of obesity and excess belly fat. “If drinks with artificial sweeteners are a staple of your diet, it’s best to kick the habit to maintain health and prevent diseases throughout the aging process,” says registered dietician Lisa Moskovitz.

According to a review published in the journal Obesity, legumes—including beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas—could keep you from the snack drawer until dinner. Researchers found that subjects who consumed between ¾ and 1 cup of legumes daily felt as much as 31 percent fuller than those who didn’t! But there’s a catch: Although participants felt fuller when they ate legumes, they didn’t always eat less throughout the day. It’s still up to you to tune out the call of cravings—a completely different beast than hunger. But when it comes to willpower boosters, beans are a great way to get a jumpstart. They’re also one of the 30 Best Food for 6-Pack Abs. 7 Steps For Losing Weight After 50

Your thoughts about finding a trainer actually echoes what I had started thinking. I only hesitate because of my work schedule. I put in 75 hours last week, which although a little heavier than usual, isn’t unheard of. Although never legally married, I consider myself a widower and as a single guy I do all the cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry etc. Plus I have two dogs that require my attention daily. So I’ve become a lot more of a homebody than I ever thought I would. The nearest reputable gym that I know of is about a 30 minute drive from my home, I just can’t commit to a 2 hour time requirement so I’ve been doing the best I can at home. I am thinking about doing a 1 month membership though, just to get the proper mentoring and training but just keep putting it off. Perhaps this winter when there is less outside work that needs done and I have a little more time on my hands. Thanks again for your response and advice.

Eva Longoria is best known for her role as Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. However before she was a sexy Desperate Housewife, she starred in The Young and the Restless. She has been named one of Hollywood’s most beautiful women by several publications, which isn’t surprising. At 43 years, she currently holds modelling contracts with L’Oréal, Hanes, New York & Co, and many others and has recently given birth to her first child.

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"As we age, our lives become more complicated, whether it's with children, with work, with aging parents, and so we have less time really to be more physically active and pay attention to what we're eating. Food is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in large portions that are relatively economical and so food is always around, and we tend to have more mindless eating and cut down on activities," she says.
"When writing my first book in the Somersize series, I interviewed more than 100 nutritionists and was shocked and surprised to find that none of them agreed on anything. The approach most nutritionists take is to 'not eat as much' and to watch the fat. Nutrition is a very inexact science. That is why I sought out qualified endocrinologists to find the 'insulin connection' relative to weight gain and weight loss. My program is backed by science and qualified doctors. 3 Simple Steps That Shrink & Incinerate "Over 40" Belly FatEverybody seemed to want to tell their younger self that the person they’re agonizing over and waiting on will almost certainly not be The One. If someone is giving you the run around, it’s because they’re not moving towards you. Let them go, and concentrate on yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of it, but if someone is making you feel small, unimportant, or messing with your head, they’re demanding too much from you and not giving back. DUMP HIM. OR HER.
While most Americans consume plenty of protein, research shows that some women begin skimping on the muscle-sustaining nutrient as they age, consuming less than the RDA. Calorie-conscious dieters also tend to cut back on protein, when they should be doing the opposite. "Cutting back causes your body to rob your muscles for energy, leaving you thinner but also flabbier and weaker," says Dr. Apovian. "Not only does losing muscle make your clothing fit poorly, but you begin to burn fewer calories, so even if you're eating the same amount, you can easily regain the weight you shed." Having less muscle mass also makes you weaker, making it harder to do simple activities, so you become more inclined to crash on the couch. Eventually, the scale climbs back up and you start all over again, chipping away at muscle mass and putting the chill on your metabolism with each diet you try. The Best Diet for Women Over 40There are plenty of fish in the sea, but salmon may be the best one for your metabolism. That’s because most cases of underactive thyroid are due to inflammation of the gland, and salmon boasts significant anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its rich omega-3 fatty acid content. In fact, one study that looked at the effects of weight loss and seafood consumption showed salmon to be the most effective at reducing inflammation—better than cod, fish oil, and a fish-free diet. The fishy fatty acids may also signal thyroid cells in the liver to burn more fat, a recent study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry suggests.

Whenever possible, slice each of your workouts into two smaller sessions. For example, do a 15-minute weight-lifting session in the morning, then do your 30-minute walk on your lunch hour or at night. You'll burn an extra 100 to 200 calories that day, explains Kelly Tracy, M.A., fitness coordinator at Duke University Diet and Fitness Center. Don't have time? Just add in some stair climbing or short walks throughout the day. Even small bursts of activity are enough to get your metabolism revved, according to a study in the scientific journal Nature. "I call it the mini stoke: For five minutes out of every hour, get up and do something, even if it's just walking around your office," says professor of medicine Peeke. "You can end up burning a couple of hundred extra calories. At What Age Does Your Metabolism Slow Down? How to Keep Your Metabolism Fast

"How can I eat this much satisfying food and still lose weight?" Brenda asked during our second meeting. For fat-phobic patients (especially those who lived through the low-fat brainwashing in the '80s), ketogenic diets—which are about 80 to 90 percent fat—can initially seem unbelievably decadent. Yes, that’s a lot of fat, but you’ll focus on filling, healthy sources like avocado, wild-caught fish, nuts, and seeds. Yay for foods that we love!
“Younger women might be frantically chasing what they or others want for them—promotions in their career, a spouse and family, etc. Women in their 40s have time to slow down and reassess what is important before taking their next steps,” Dr. Rosenfeld explains. “Things aren’t as rushed or time-sensitive and, as a result, there’s more time to explore and focus on what feels authentically right for them.”
You think you’re being economical or environmentally friendly, but you’ll want to start avoiding those plastic bottles in the first place. A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to toxins like bisphenol A (BPA), organophosphate pesticides and phthalates may be fueling weight problems. “We are starting to see a lot of human studies showing an association between the presence of chemicals and obesity,” says University of California, Irvine, researcher Bruce Blumberg, Ph.D., who coined the term “obesogen” to describe such toxins. A 2011 Harvard study found that adults with the highest concentration of BPA in their urine had significantly larger waists and a 75 percent greater chance of being obese than those in the lowest quartile. Reusing plastic bottles with BPA adds to the risk because temperature changes and the gradual breakdown of the plastic will increase the rate of the release of the chemical.

“To see real results, you need to eat real food,” People’s Sexiest Trainer Alive Angelo Grinceri told Eat This, Not That! “When your eating habits consist of eating a variety of real foods that provide the body with nourishment, a healthier body is created. And the healthier you are, the faster you’ll recover post-workout and the better chance you’ll have at losing fat and building muscle.” Plus, eating for health instead of weight loss means you’ll develop a habit that makes smarter food choices easier and easier. Get more of this sexy trainer’s advice at The 15 Best Weight Loss Tips from The Sexiest Trainer Alive! How to Eat in 40's & 50's so you don't gain the weight. What can you do?

With her flowing, untamed blonde locks, piercing blue eyes and perfectly defined cheekbones, Michelle Pfeiffer is truly genetically blessed. Known for her tendency to portray strong women with intense sex appeal, the 60-year old is credited as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. She has received countless accolades and awards and is universally recognised as one of the most beautiful women of all time.
16. You’re eating on the run and bolting down your food – when you’re busy it’s easy to just scoff something at your desk or in your car. But when you eat too fast, you’re not chewing your food and it can pass through undigested. And stress can add to that by inhibiting your production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Not only are you missing the nutrients from the food, but undigested foods can damage your gut lining and seriously hamper your weight loss goals!
WHAT IT IS: Developed by former scientist Dr. Barry Sears, The Zone Diet involves getting 40 percent of your daily total caloric intake from carbohydrates, 30 percent from carbs and 30 percent from fats. According to Sears, balancing the correct amount of amino acids with carbs helps control the appetite to prevent over-eating (which leads to weight gain). Followers eat three portion-controlled meals and two snacks a day, preventing you from getting too hungry – or cranky. Hollywood hottie Jennifer Aniston was such a big fan, some have even called it the “Jennifer Aniston Diet." Weight Loss Cardio Workout at Home | 35 MinutesGluten-free breads and other products are fooling you with their healthy-looking labels. Studies show that gluten-free replacements of foods that normally contain the protein are not healthier than the real thing — and they’re more expensive. Often, these breads have significantly less fiber than bread made with real whole wheat. As you get older, fiber is one of the nutrients you need the most. It keeps you full and ensures that your digestion keeps moving regularly.

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Although it’s true that egg whites are low in calories, fat-free, and contain most of the protein found in an egg, eating the entire egg is beneficial to your metabolism. The yolk contains many metabolism-stoking nutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids and—most significantly—choline, a powerful compound that attacks the gene mechanism that triggers your body to store fat around your liver. Worried about cholesterol? New studies have found that moderate consumption of two whole eggs per day has no negative effect on a person’s lipid (fat) profile and may actually improve it.
If you're cutting calories to lose weight, add 200-300 to your daily intake once in a while, says Amanda Bonfiglio Cunningham, a senior Yoga Medicine instructor. "The body will get used to a calorie deficit diet, adjusting by slowing the metabolic rate. By allowing yourself a day of indulgence (not overindulgence!), you're creating a healthy balance," she explains. "The extra calories raise leptin production, a hormone that regulates appetite and energy. This rise triggers thermogenesis, the body's natural tendency to create heat, which results in burning calories." Pass the dessert menu!
Goddard says estrogen levels begin to decline as a woman begins perimenopause. “As a result, we lose muscle mass, and that loss results in a decrease in metabolism — we literally have to consume fewer calories to maintain or lose weight,” she says. “The loss of estrogen also leads to a propensity to deposit fat in the mid-section, which leads to further metabolic derangement (or an inefficient metabolism). It increases insulin resistance, can lead to pre-diabetes and diabetes, and increases the risk for heart disease.”
Bodybuilders have long sworn by eating every few hours to keep their muscles fueled, but don’t discount the weight loss potential of three squares a day. A study in the journal Hepatology put two groups of men on weight-gain diets. One group divided the calories among three small meals with snacks in between while the second group ate the same number of calories in three square meals. While both groups gained weight, researchers found that belly fat—the dangerous kind that increases heart-disease risk—only increased in the high-meal frequency group.
If you're like many women over 40, you've probably noticed that it's become a lot easier to gain a few pounds than to lose them. The foods that you ate without care in your 20s and 30s now stick to your body like glue, adding bulk to your midsection. The good news: The solution to a slim, firm body at 40-plus is no farther than your fridge. Research shows that, when combined with a little regular exercise, what you eat and when you eat it are your metabolic secret weapons for building muscle mass, the body's prime calorie-burning tissue and a key driver of your metabolism. What Men Over 40 Need To Eat In Order To Get Six Pack Abs

Kourtney Kardashian is considered among the healthiest of the Kardashian bunch. According to a People story from February 2018, Kardashian shared in her app that going keto was a “really positive experience.” She said she first went keto after doctors found high levels of mercury in her blood. She now eats cauliflower rice or broccoli rice in place of carbs. But just because she’s a reality TV star doesn’t make her immune to the negative side effects associated with this way of eating. Kardashian admits she suffered from headaches and low energy for a couple of weeks and makes the diet more sustainable by giving herself a “treat yourself day” every week.

More commonly known as Liz Hurley, the English actress and model got her first modelling job at 29 years old. Now, the 52-year-old is widely considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. After playing major and minor roles in a number of films like Austin Powers, she now stars in the E! original series The Royals and regularly appears in Estée Lauder campaigns.
In other words? If certain foods seem to open the floodgates for you without fail, it might be better to steer clear altogether and stick with treats that don't trigger a binge. It might feel tough at first. But instead of seeing it as deprivation, reframe your decision as a choice—and a positive one at that. "Acknowledge that these foods don't work for you and the health goals that are important to you," Cederquist says. How To Lose Weight Fast For Men Over 40 (In 6 Easy Steps)

Whether due to the night-waking of young children or hot flashes from the onset of perimenopause, middle-age is when sleep quality goes downhill for many women. Lack of sleep has long been linked to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes, because it’s harder for the body to regulate glucose leading to something called insulin resistance, which can cause weight gain.

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Remember when you were 23 years-old and wouldn’t even dream of spending your coveted cash on letting someone else mow your lawn, wash your car, or paint your living room? Try tapping into that scrappy, resourceful inner you a bit more and you’ll wind up torching calories. For example, a 150-pound person will burn around 200 calories if they wash and wax their car for 40 minutes. For more ways to avoid weight gain at home and to burn more calories, check out these 12 Ways Your Home is Making You Fat!

With her flowing, untamed blonde locks, piercing blue eyes and perfectly defined cheekbones, Michelle Pfeiffer is truly genetically blessed. Known for her tendency to portray strong women with intense sex appeal, the 60-year old is credited as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. She has received countless accolades and awards and is universally recognised as one of the most beautiful women of all time. Weight Lost: How This 50-Year-Old Woman Dropped 46 Pounds | Good health 24hThis diet, created by trainer-to-the-stars Tracy Anderson, has reportedly been tried by the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga. The gist of the 7-day eating plan? Eat jarred baby food for breakfast and lunch, followed by a low-calorie dinner. Anderson cites this as a way to “eliminate toxins”—a red flag because the body naturally expels toxins. This is nothing more than a short-term crash diet that is very low in calories and nutrients. 40 EFFECTIVE DAILY EXERCISES FOR WOMEN AFTER 40Most women in the ripe years have already found their own styles and could have enjoyed their lives just keeping them in line with current trends. Unfortunately, age-related changes foul things up, affecting face features, body and hair. However, there are lots of stylish hairstyles for women over 40, flattering both the face and body silhouette, while factoring out years. You just need to focus on the personal traits we are going to discuss further.
IF our bodies work to store fat when we turn 50, what is the reason for fighting the extra weight – and particularly, the belly fat? The statement that we “should never give up” frankly sounds like you are directing us to torture ourselves for the rest of our lives. Doing 10,000 steps, eating well and sleeping well, surely must be more important than conforming to society’s standards of beauty.

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After suffering for many years with everything from bullying to bulimia, Lady Gaga dropped 25 to 30 pounds with a low-glycemic index diet. Gaga is said to have followed the 5-Factor Diet, only eating healthy foods from five categories – healthy fats, fiber, "low-glycemic" carbohydrates, protein and sugarless drinks. (The glycemic index ranks foods by the speed at which they raise blood sugar levels as they get digested.) She avoided highly-processed meats, fried foods, foods high in saturated fat (like butter, ice cream and desserts), simple carbohydrates (including white bread and white rice) and sugary treats. Her plan included eating five times per day, usually broken down into two meals and three light snacks.
The truth: The diet is based on the misleading idea that you can change your blood pH with food. While the pH of the stomach is acidic, the blood is slightly alkaline, something the food you eat can't change. Still, one positive part of the diet is that it advocates eating more fruits and veggies, something most dietitians agree we should all be doing.
Muscles are what keeps our metabolism high and as we age, our muscles slowly start to get smaller, therefore allowing our metabolism to slow down. To counteract this, Shapiro recommends that we start lifting weights. “No, you won’t get big and bulky. In fact, you’ll stay lean,” she says. That’s because weight training causes you to burn more calories per workout than cardio sessions, and you continue to burn them post workout. And that’s not all—click here to discover 40 Ways to Lose 4 Inches of Body Fat!
However, just like those rehab-loving design gurus on HGTV, your body breaks down muscle as regularly as it builds it. "All of the cells in your body need protein to function. When there aren't enough amino acids from food available in the bloodstream, the body will start to break down and harvest amino acids from your muscle in order to keep more vital cells—like the ones in your brain and other organs—functioning," says Dr. Paddon-Jones. "This is a natural, continuing cycle. Muscle-protein synthesis goes up after you eat a meal with protein, and your body switches back to muscle-breakdown mode a few hours after you've eaten. Normally, the ups and downs equal out and your muscle mass stays the same." However, eat too little protein for too long and your muscles start to shrink, eventually causing your metabolism to take a nosedive.
Getting your gut health in order is a good idea no matter what your age, but after 40, it’s essential. Improving your digestive regularity with prebiotic fiber-rich foods, like asparagus and leafy greens, may help reduce your risk of colon cancer, and can even help regulate the hormonal challenges that come along with menopause. Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine have also found fiber effective at reducing estrogen concentrations in the bloodstream, helping you avoid the hot flashes and mood swings that can hit around mid-life.

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Skipping those salty snacks will put you on track for more weight loss in a hurry, no matter what your age. Research conducted at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine reveals that, contrary to popular belief, salt tends to make people hungry, not thirsty. Two groups on simulated missions to Mars were examined over the course of 105 and 205 days, respectively, with one group receiving saltier foods during the final weeks of their mock voyage. Researchers discovered that those given saltier foods actually drank less water than those on a low-salt diet, but complained of hunger more often. However, as expected, the saltier food did increase study participants’ water retention, meaning it can exacerbate the water retention and bloating issues associated with menopause, too. Salt isn’t the only habit making you heavy; the 37 Worst Breakfast Habits for Your Waistline could have you packing on the pounds with every passing year.